Revenge review – 3×21: ‘Impetus’

Emily (Emily VanCamp) uses her sister as leverage for a final, desperate act to bring down the Graysons.

Let’s bitch it out…

Emily’s end goal is in sight as she kidnaps her sister, Charlotte (Christa B. Allen), to force Conrad (Henry Czerny) and Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) into confessing their crimes. Using Javier’s (Henri Esteve) MyClone app and Nolan’s (Gabriel Mann) voice altering software, Emily goes into full-on REVENGE! mode, psychologically torturing Charlotte with a greatest hits historical package on David Clarke (James Tupper) and sending Conrad a fake ear.

It’s a bit scary when Emily goes dark, refusing to acknowledge how destructive her treatment of her sister is or how damaging her adversarial reaction to Nolan and Jack (Nick Wechsler) is when they try to act as her conscience. There’s a telling moment after Emily confesses to Nolan that she doesn’t know who she is anymore (a point she reiterates to Jack at the end of the episode, suggesting he wants Amanda – not what she’s become). The most frequent discussion I’ve seen about this show is what Emily’s actions will ultimately do to her (ie: how much of herself is she willing to sacrifice to bring down the Graysons). Her anger and relief after executing her most successful take-down yet speaks volumes about how much her identity is entangled with her revengda.

Of course whether or not that matters may be immaterial since the gamble pays off when Jack lets Charlotte go and she confronts Conrad, inspiring a confessional tirade from the Grayson patriarch that just happens to be streamed live on the air via Charlotte’s button. (Side bar: Ohymgod Conrad is in jail! Whaaaaaaa?! God I love finale season) Okay, I’ve recovered. So Conrad’s confession circumvents the duress scenario that he thought would protect him because he makes it freely knowing that his daughter is safe and with that he effectively knocks out 1/2 of Emily’s targets with a single shot. It’s enough to bring a tear to Emily’s eye (and ours because can I just speak for all of us when I say “hallelujah”?)

Initially the victory seems far from certain. Things start to go pear shaped when Daniel (Josh Bowman) zeroes in on Emily after seeing her on the video footage of Pascal’s murder. Unbeknowst to Margaux (Karine Vanasse), he takes his suspicions to the police in order to link Emily to Conrad and the murder. It’s another example of how the writers have learned to move forward with Emily’s schemes without making all of the other characters look like idiots.  Daniel and Victoria are hot on Emily’s trail at this point, so it makes sense that neither of them take what’s going on at face value.

While Daniel tries to work in the traditional channels, Victoria continues to play dirty (and savvy!). It’s a little inconceivable that a random woman can walk into a playground and handle a child in plain sight, but let’s forgive this stranger danger moment because it yields the best piece of evidence yet that may unravel Emily’s true identity. By comparing Carl’s and Charlotte’s DNA, Victoria now knows that there is no familial connection, which means she’s thisclose to figuring out who Emily truly is. With only one episode left, it appears that the truth is about to come out.

Other Observations:

• Margaux’s relationship with Daniel continues to progress. Despite her observation that Daniel’s vendetta is all about payback against his ex, Margaux still allows herself to be swayed by his silver tongue. Of everything that’s happened in S3, Margaux’s treatment (from boring to shrill to stupid) is one of my least favourite elements on the show.
• I was surprised at how understated Jack’s reaction is to being used. I suppose he realized how much of a victory it is for Emily to get Conrad behind bars (he obviously wanted it, too). Still, you’ve got to think he’d be pissed that Charlotte’s safe release was all part of the plan after all.
• Love that Conrad gives Emily his blessing when he realizes that she’s responsible for his downfall. It’s interesting that Emily fails to reveal who she really is, though; instead she suggests she’s acting on behalf of David Clarke and Amanda.
• Finally, when Charlotte sees an image of Declan in the torture montage, she cries. I had a slightly different reaction <vomit>

Best Lines:

• Nolan (worriedly assuring Em): “So…let’s bag some Graysons”
• Emily (to Daniel, at the police station): “Poor Daniel. So broke up about our divorce, you’re always trying to stir up trouble for me.”
• Detective (letting Emily go): “After watching you today, there’s someone dangerous hiding in that pretty little socialite shell. It’s Daniel Grayson who should be worried.”
• Victoria (as FBI take him away in handcuffs): “Bye Conrad. Do rot in hell.”

What’s your take on stage one of Emily’s master plan? Were you surprised that Emily actually took Conrad down? Is Margaux’s arc frustrating? Is Aiden going to give way for Jack to swoop in and collect Emily? And how will this all turn out in next week’s finale? Speculate away below

Revenge airs its season finale next Sunday at 10pm EST on ABC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmN9-7L3DSA